Football: Seypearl league division two Victoria City top league standings Win pushes John Bosco up the ladder |24 August 2018

Victoria City have moved up to first position in the Seypearl second division league standings after a 3-2 win over previous league leaders Real Maldives, while St John Bosco edged Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers 2-1 in the Pointe Larue derby.

Both matches were played on Wednesday evening at Stad Linite.

In the first match between St John Bosco and Bazar Brothers, the former added three more points to their tally with a 2-1 victory to go second.

The top-of-the-table clash between Victoria City and Real Maldives was full of actions throughout.

It was Victoria City who made the first attacking move which came shortly after kick-off with captain Leroy Chetty smashing a ball forward to winger Heiddy Labrosse, giving him light contest on the far left side of the opponent’s box.

The action however came to an end with a badly hit cross by Labrosse, sending the ball straight into the hands of Real Maldiveskeeper Madride Adrienne.

The first half was easily controlled by the Victoria City side, with the main highlight of the Real Maldives side coming from Josip Ravignia who cut the ball into the box in the third minute of play but was cleared by Victoria City defenders.

Victoria City struck first with a cross sent in from the right side by winger Darrel Damoo, which found the head of striker Hubert Jean who beat the Real Maldives goalie for the opening goal with 20 minutes left in the first half.

Victoria City’s Ernesto Doway then received a yellow card for pushing over a Real Maldives defender on a counter attack with 34 minutes played.

This was shortly settled by his teammates, after a ‘no look’ pass from captain Chetty to teammate Heiddy Labrosse which ignited an attack on the slower Real Maldives defenders.

Labrosse gave a perfectly placed pass to Darrel Damoo who was standing in the perfect position to smash the ball into the net to increase their lead to 2-0 as the referee blew the halftime whistle.

The second half saw more drive from Real Maldives and the chance to lessen their deficit came in the 56th minute when Paul Solandrainy stepped up to take a free-kick which was mishandled by Victoria City keeper Ritchie Dubel as Jean-Delor Carolus came on the rebound to score.

The goal was not accepted as the sideline referee lifted his flag for offside.

Real Maldives substitute AyubyMugistta found his first scoring opportunity just five minutes after coming into play when he headed the ball strongly at the Victoria City keeper, but the ball ended up going over the post.

Victoria City capitalised on those missed opportunities when once again Damoo found himself head on with just keeper Adrienne to beat.

Adrienne ran out of his box to deflect the ball, but sadly went straight in the path of Labrosse who tapped the ball in the empty net to extend their lead to 3-0 with 77 minutes played. 

This victory would be short-lived as all was in doubt in the final ten minutes of the match. Victoria City keeper Dubel received a red card with just six minutes left to play, after a hit on a Real Maldives striker in the box, awarding Real Maldives with a penalty.

Real Maldives Ravignia stepped up, hitting the ball at the top right side of the goal as the keeper leaped through at the bottom to make it 3-1.

Two minutes later, another penalty was awarded, after Travis Jerome tackled a Real Maldives striker from behind inside the penalty box.

Once again, Ravignia stepped up and placed it in the same position for yet another goal in the space of just four minutes.

Seven minutes of added time were given, allowing Real Maldives to get back into the game, but all came to an end as their opponents locked down on defense and the referee blew the final whistle for a 3-2 victory for Victoria City.

With that win, Victoria City moves to the top position on the league table, two points ahead of St John Bosco.

Victoria City manager Chanel Monthy was happy with the win, but also explained that the drive by the players made them win the match.

“I found that the match today was a bit difficult, but the players listened and focused on the important thing, which was three points and the first position on the league standings,” he said

He added that it was the motivation of the players and management that brought the win, as everyone is eager to join the top flight next season.

The third division league standings.

R.R.